HS Jazz Band Audition Excerpts
NCKMEA Jazz Band
2020-21 Audition ExcerptsFor all instruments except drumset:
A New Approach to Jazz Improvisation, Volume 13,
Cannonball Adderley, by Jamey Aebersold, 1211 Aebersold Drive, New Albany, IN 47150.
For drumset:
Ultimate Drumset Reading Anthology, by Steve Houghton (Alfred Publications) All auditions will be performed with accompaniment play along recordings.
Horn Auditions- Chromatic scale, using quarter notes at the metronome marking of 120 beats per minute. Students are to slur up and tongue down the full range of the instrument.
- "Unit 7" - Play melody one time through.
- "Work Song" - Play the melody twice through.
- Optional Improvisation on "Work Song" - After playing the melody twice through, continue for two full improvised choruses. This effort is optional, but highly encouraged.
Optional Lead Trumpet Audition (in addition to above material)
- Play a one-octave F major scale ascending in quarter notes at quarter note equals MM 80, starting on the top line of the staff.
- Play provided lead trumpet part (Download)
Optional Bass Trombone Audition (in addition to above material)
- Play a one-octave B-flat major scale, descending in quarter notes at quarter note equals MM 80, starting on second-line B-flat.
- Play provided bass trombone part (Download)
Rhythm Section AuditionsPiano- "Unit 7" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums) of the stereo play along recording, play one chorus of right-hand melody with left-hand accompaniment, followed by one chorus of two-handed chordal accompaniment.
- "Work Song" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play two choruses of the right-handed melody with an appropriate left-hand chordal accompaniment. Optional: Continue for two more choruses of improvisation.
Guitar- "Unit 7" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play the melody for one chorus, followed by one chorus of appropriate chordal accompaniment.
- "Work Song" - Using the left channel only (bass & drums), play a chordal accompaniment for two choruses. Start at the beginning of the track again; this time using left and right channels; play the melody twice through. Optional: Continue for two more choruses of improvisation.
Bass- "Unit 7" - Using only the right channel (piano & drums), play the melody for one chorus followed by an appropriate bass line for one chorus.
- "Work Song" - Using the right channel only (piano & drums), play two times through the melody then two choruses of a bass line (appropriate to accompany the melody). Optional: Continue for two choruses with an improvised solo.
DrumsPlay the following with the accompaniment CD (turn the drum channel off).
- "Basie, Straight Ahead" - Play from the beginning to letter F.
- "I'll Never Smile Again" - Play from the beginning through measure 34.
- "Rio Rhythm" - Play the first 32 measures.
- "Fall Leaves" - Play the first 32 measures.
- "Voyage Home" - Play from the beginning through the first ending.